Maybe a little more numbers than we want to look at, but figure I'll get this started with data overkill. Just copied and pasted the stats page from the NCAA site for both teams.
In regards to stats, UCA is strong in many areas, both offensively and defensively. They lead the FCS in rushing defense...which may not be as much of an advantage in this case...since we barely run the ball! But we have gotten better as the season has progressed, and do have a few capable running backs and a mobile QB to keep the Bears defense honest. On the flipside, UCA has allowed an average of some of the highest passing yards on defense in the FCS...not the defensive weakness you want going against EWU.
EWU has one of the top rated passing offenses in the FCS. But if that advantage gets negated, things get a lot tougher for the Eagles. And, our defense is statistically in the bottom half, or lower of the FCS in many categories. The defense has been improving as the year goes on, but it seems our offense has become somewhat sloppy in our last couple of games. UCA appears to play a well balanced style of offense, and will exploit what is working well, whether it's running or passing.
People may say the SLC is weak, and UCA's stats were put up against weaker competition. Maybe...but the showing of the Big Sky in their games today doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the strength of the Big Sky competition EWU has put their numbers up against.
Currently, the weather looks like good football weather, and EWU should be able to execute their game-plan. I think EWU lost a little focus towards the end on offense against supposedly "weak" competition, and will come out engaged and ready to play the second season. I think we will see the EWU team that beat WSU and took NDSU to the wire.
I foresee the Bears being a tough match up for Eastern, and it should be a good, hard fought game. Hope this makes for some exciting, entertaining football for all that tune in...with EWU coming out on top of course.
Schedule/Results Date Opponent Result 09/03/2016 @ Washington St. W 45 - 42 09/10/2016 @ North Dakota St. L 44 - 50 (1OT) 09/17/2016 UNI W 34 - 30 09/24/2016 @ Northern Ariz. W 50 - 35 10/01/2016 UC Davis W 63 - 30 10/08/2016 Northern Colo. W 49 - 31 10/22/2016 @ Montana St. W 41 - 17 10/29/2016 Montana W 35 - 16 11/05/2016 @ Cal Poly W 42 - 21 11/12/2016 Idaho St. W 48 - 17 11/18/2016 @ Portland St. W 35 - 28 12/03/2016 Central Ark. -
Team Stats - Through games 11/24/2016 Stat Rank Value Total Offense 2 541.3 Rushing Offense 84 134.5 Passing Offense 1 406.8 Team Passing Efficiency 4 172.04 Scoring Offense 3 44.2 Total Defense 105 443.6 Rushing Defense 101 206.5 Passing Yards Allowed 85 237.1 Team Passing Efficiency Defense 66 127.74 Scoring Defense 72 28.8 Turnover Margin T-20 0.64 3rd Down Conversion Pct 3 0.540 4th Down Conversion Pct 57 0.526 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense 87 0.408 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense 104 0.640 Red Zone Offense 63 0.796 Red Zone Defense T-47 0.795 Net Punting 25 37.54 Punt Returns 3 20.50 Kickoff Returns 16 23.35 First Downs Offense 2 296 First Downs Defense 114 254 Fewest Penalties Per Game T-42 6.00 Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game 46 53.27 Time of Possession 105 27:52 View Complete Ranking Summary
Individual Leaders Stat Player Value APY Cooper Kupp 1,503 FGM Roldan Alcobendas 6 Int Zach Bruce 3 Pass
EffCooper Kupp 382.33 Points Shaq Hill 90 Punt Avg Jordan Dascalo 471.3 Punt Ret Yds Cooper Kupp 160 Rec Cooper Kupp 91 Receiving
YardsCooper Kupp 1,297 Rush
Net YardsGage Gubrud 463 Sacks Samson Ebukam 6.5 Tackles Zach Bruce 95 Tot Off Gage Gubrud 4,534
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Originally Posted by kdinva
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